Closing Bell: ASX closes week higher as Appen, Novonix race ahead

The ASX rallied on commodities boost on December 27. BrainChip and DroneShield led, while 2025 volatility looms with key risks.

Pic via Getty Images

• ASX rallies on commodity boost

• BrainChip and DroneShield lead the charge

• 2025 market volatility looms with key risks

The ASX came back swinging after a short Christmas break, riding high on a bump in commodity prices.

At the close of Friday, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index had added 0.50%, and was up about 1.15% for the week.

Ten out of 11 sectors were in the green today, where discretionary and healthcare were the top two standouts.

Goldies also pushed higher, supported by higher gold prices as investors seek safety amidst the unknown.

Source: Market Index

Source: Market Index

One of the best performers today was BrainChip Holdings (ASX:BRN), which rose by over 17% on no specific news.

DroneShield (ASX:DRO) skyrocketed by 15% after fund manager Vanguard took a 5.5% stake in the company.

Appen (ASX:APX) was also in the mix, up by 13% on no specific news. Batteries tech companuy Novonix (ASX:NVX), meanwhile, rose by 13%, also on no announcements. 

Looking ahead to 2025,  many experts believe the market’s volatility is still a big question mark. 

From US inflation concerns, to domestic interest rates, to China’s tariffs, there's plenty to keep investors on their toes. 

“While pullbacks are natural in any market cycle, several upcoming catalysts could maintain market optimism in the medium term,” said OKX's Lennix Lai.

“Traders should remain mindful that the path to institutional adoption and policy reform will likely be gradual rather than immediate, even with potential changes in the US administration come 2025."

ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS

Today’s best performing small cap stocks:

Security	Description	Last	%	Volume	MktCap
FAU	First Au Ltd	0.002	33%	1,300,000	$3,107,990
ABX	ABX Group Limited	0.041	28%	208,391	$8,009,390
ADG	Adelong Gold Limited	0.005	25%	719,414	$4,471,956
AYT	Austin Metals Ltd	0.005	25%	198,008	$5,296,765
CRB	Carbine Resources	0.005	25%	250,000	$2,206,951
EVR	Ev Resources Ltd	0.003	25%	32,777	$3,625,007
WBE	Whitebark Energy	0.010	25%	842,631	$2,018,668
MTM	MTM Critical Metals	0.230	24%	13,309,123	$75,222,624
RR1	Reach Resources Ltd	0.008	23%	1,706,237	$5,683,804
GCM	Green Critical Min	0.011	22%	87,361,097	$17,167,980
TVN	Tivan Limited	0.110	22%	8,902,280	$171,896,683
VR1	Vection Technologies	0.034	21%	8,449,912	$37,813,464
AXE	Archer Materials	0.505	20%	1,672,330	$107,035,745
RMI	Resource Mining Corp	0.006	20%	50,000	$3,261,739
BRN	Brainchip Ltd	0.375	19%	38,751,860	$621,327,412
KM1	Kalimetalslimited	0.125	19%	391,948	$8,066,901
SNT	Syntara Limited	0.079	18%	7,584,253	$105,800,568
ARN	Aldoro Resources	0.350	17%	758,311	$40,387,123
ATH	Alterity Therap Ltd	0.007	17%	79,213,899	$31,922,017
BCB	Bowen Coal Limited	0.007	17%	36,297,163	$64,650,195
CCO	The Calmer Co Int	0.007	17%	22,676	$15,245,117

Tivan (ASX:TVN) surged after the chairman’s update, which reiterated its key partnership with Sumitomo Corporation and confirmation that the Speewah Fluorite Project is fully funded. The announcement, combined with the progress at Sandover and a strong balance sheet, sparked investor confidence that Tivan is on track for growth in the critical minerals sector.

Bowen Coking Coal (ASX:BCB) hit a quarterly sales record of 544Kt, up 31% from the previous quarter. Coal production stayed strong, with the Burton Mine pumping out 544Kt of Run-of-Mine coal, slightly above target. The company also said it’s made progress at the Plumtree North mine, ahead of schedule, and enjoyed strong efficiency at its coal handling and preparation plant.

ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS

Today’s worst performing small cap stocks:

Code	Name	Price	% Change	Volume	Market Cap
8VI	8Vi Holdings Limited	0.012	-60%	34,192	$1,257,343
MKL	Mighty Kingdom Ltd	0.020	-56%	181,033	$9,722,853
NTM	Nt Minerals Limited	0.002	-33%	4,426	$3,632,709
VML	Vital Metals Limited	0.002	-33%	454,910	$17,685,201
SRI	Sipa Resources Ltd	0.013	-28%	2,181,888	$4,106,846
AMD	Arrow Minerals	0.002	-25%	1,762,853	$26,447,256
EDE	Eden Inv Ltd	0.002	-25%	8,317	$8,219,752
ERL	Empire Resources	0.003	-25%	258,333	$5,935,653
NAE	New Age Exploration	0.003	-25%	3,130,634	$8,575,596
TX3	Trinex Minerals Ltd	0.002	-25%	78,811	$3,657,305
VFX	Visionflex Group Ltd	0.003	-25%	382,856	$13,471,442
RLG	Roolife Group Ltd	0.004	-20%	15,000	$5,980,156
TEG	Triangle Energy Ltd	0.004	-20%	2,682,701	$10,446,170
HE8	Helios Energy Ltd	0.009	-18%	1,175,940	$28,644,544
ERA	Energy Resources	0.003	-17%	48,823,374	$1,216,188,722
LML	Lincoln Minerals	0.005	-17%	426,008	$12,337,557
EME	Energy Metals Ltd	0.081	-16%	30,000	$20,339,281
AXN	Alliance Nickel Ltd	0.036	-14%	71,559	$30,485,264
ADN	Andromeda Metals Ltd	0.006	-14%	3,496,762	$24,001,094
AJL	AJ Lucas Group	0.006	-14%	14,000	$9,630,107
BP8	Bph Global Ltd	0.003	-14%	2,706,664	$1,510,745
SRN	Surefire Rescs NL	0.003	-14%	2,300,000	$7,232,077

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Drilling results from the Rio Negro prospect withinEquinox Resources’ (ASX:EQN)Campo Grande project in Brazil have returned standout TREO grades, while also confirming the project’s multi-commodity potential. High-grade gallium and bauxite were also struck, with further results expected in late January or early February.

At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Equinox Resources is a Stockhead advertiser, it did not sponsor this article.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Closing Bell: ASX closes week higher as Appen, Novonix race ahead